I so appreciate this as a resource, thank you! Step 2 offers such an excllent framework, something I really need in this moment. Also tucking it away as a generative fiction exercise :)
Such a helpful way to break down working with parts or complexes which makes it all feel so much less overwhelming. Your personal example was very helpful to illustrate it (and a bit familiar too, heh).
Thank you! This is a tricky course of inner work for sure, charged emotional states so easily lead to overwhelm.
Would you say that a similar archetypal influence is present for you in the personal example? It's funny as I reflected on it. Cause on the surface it seems like such a perfectionistic drive. But the deeper I dug, the more it felt clear that it was really relationally focused.
A bit, yeah. I related to your trait of high conscientiousness leading to a low tolerance for mistakes or letting others down. My issue was that I took on too much work/responsibility and almost forgot that I also exist and have needs. This year I finally rebelled against this urge, it really felt like I was repeating a childhood pattern and the child was furious with me. But it’s still there to some degree.
Interesting how you're able to connect that to an inner child, and the nuance of its emotional quality tells so much. I find in these tense emotional situations, that there are often warring complexes (or parts). Which makes the inner work quite dynamic, and pretty confusing too!
This post has given me much to think about and work with. I thought the way you were able to arrive at the caretaker through the persecutor was very perceptive. I hadn't thought about caretakers before but it struck a chord, I can see how this figure is 'alive' in my life too. Currently I'm aware of how I readily override my own intuitions in favour of meeting the perceived needs and desires of others. Sometimes, this has profound effects (e.g. a marriage I knew I didn't want when I was 18, but fell into because of things my mother said, and my religious leader). There have been other momentous moments - and the pattern repeats. No more, I write in my journal. But how ... how to find the strength to listen to one's own conviction and then be brave enough to choose oneself when a strongly evangelical upbringing teaches you to lose self in service of others. I don't know what name to give this complex. Its not a caretaker thing, but what you wrote stirred this up for me. There's such helpful advice in your post on how to think about complexes - their facets, feelings, textures. It links well with your latest post about finding a symbol. Thank you. I might often be late responding to a discussion, but its being listened to and taken in.
It can be difficult to apply a simple formula to something so complex and nuanced. I know that these types of offerings can only go so far. My hope is that it can begin the introspective process for someone, give them a clue of where to start or how to contextualize something.
I also find that these repeating patterns and strong intrapsychic currents are often multi-layered. It's rarely just a singular complex. Usually there are several of them interacting with one another! That makes it even more disorienting. But with patience and persistence, it begins to unfold.
Appreciate your comments, reflections and thoughts whenever you're able to leave them :)
Yes, that makes sense, that a mix of complexes are in play. Its a slow process, then, sinking into the them and discovering what's going on with each, as far as that's possible by being curious and trying to answer 'what is this complex doing for me'.
Love the framing of that question. It helps begin a dialogue with the complex, which, in my experience, usually produces insightful and surprising answers.
Yes! I've done two active imaginations late at night this year, and both resulted in very unexpected and rather alarming input from the dream figures. I hadn't thought of trying it with a constellated complex, but I like the idea of the dialogue. Thank you.
I so appreciate this as a resource, thank you! Step 2 offers such an excllent framework, something I really need in this moment. Also tucking it away as a generative fiction exercise :)
You're welcome :) I'm curious of how you'd apply this as a fiction exercise. Perhaps in fleshing out a character?
Such a helpful way to break down working with parts or complexes which makes it all feel so much less overwhelming. Your personal example was very helpful to illustrate it (and a bit familiar too, heh).
Thank you! This is a tricky course of inner work for sure, charged emotional states so easily lead to overwhelm.
Would you say that a similar archetypal influence is present for you in the personal example? It's funny as I reflected on it. Cause on the surface it seems like such a perfectionistic drive. But the deeper I dug, the more it felt clear that it was really relationally focused.
A bit, yeah. I related to your trait of high conscientiousness leading to a low tolerance for mistakes or letting others down. My issue was that I took on too much work/responsibility and almost forgot that I also exist and have needs. This year I finally rebelled against this urge, it really felt like I was repeating a childhood pattern and the child was furious with me. But it’s still there to some degree.
Interesting how you're able to connect that to an inner child, and the nuance of its emotional quality tells so much. I find in these tense emotional situations, that there are often warring complexes (or parts). Which makes the inner work quite dynamic, and pretty confusing too!
This post has given me much to think about and work with. I thought the way you were able to arrive at the caretaker through the persecutor was very perceptive. I hadn't thought about caretakers before but it struck a chord, I can see how this figure is 'alive' in my life too. Currently I'm aware of how I readily override my own intuitions in favour of meeting the perceived needs and desires of others. Sometimes, this has profound effects (e.g. a marriage I knew I didn't want when I was 18, but fell into because of things my mother said, and my religious leader). There have been other momentous moments - and the pattern repeats. No more, I write in my journal. But how ... how to find the strength to listen to one's own conviction and then be brave enough to choose oneself when a strongly evangelical upbringing teaches you to lose self in service of others. I don't know what name to give this complex. Its not a caretaker thing, but what you wrote stirred this up for me. There's such helpful advice in your post on how to think about complexes - their facets, feelings, textures. It links well with your latest post about finding a symbol. Thank you. I might often be late responding to a discussion, but its being listened to and taken in.
It can be difficult to apply a simple formula to something so complex and nuanced. I know that these types of offerings can only go so far. My hope is that it can begin the introspective process for someone, give them a clue of where to start or how to contextualize something.
I also find that these repeating patterns and strong intrapsychic currents are often multi-layered. It's rarely just a singular complex. Usually there are several of them interacting with one another! That makes it even more disorienting. But with patience and persistence, it begins to unfold.
Appreciate your comments, reflections and thoughts whenever you're able to leave them :)
Yes, that makes sense, that a mix of complexes are in play. Its a slow process, then, sinking into the them and discovering what's going on with each, as far as that's possible by being curious and trying to answer 'what is this complex doing for me'.
Love the framing of that question. It helps begin a dialogue with the complex, which, in my experience, usually produces insightful and surprising answers.
Yes! I've done two active imaginations late at night this year, and both resulted in very unexpected and rather alarming input from the dream figures. I hadn't thought of trying it with a constellated complex, but I like the idea of the dialogue. Thank you.
You're welcome :)